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Coroner: Another man commits suicide by jumping off York Hospital parking garage roof

By TED CZECH

Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
01/28/2013 03:46:10 PM EST

A man jumped to his death from the roof of the York Hospital parking garage Sunday afternoon, the second such death this month, according to the York County Coroner's Office.

The death of the 77-year-old man from York County was ruled a suicide, and his cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma, the office stated.

He was pronounced dead at 4:10 p.m. Sunday.

Another man died Jan. 7 after he jumped from the garage and landed in the bushes below, according to the coroner's office. The death was ruled a suicide, and the man left behind a note. His cause of death was blunt force trauma.

There have also been two attempted suicides this month, one at the hospital parking garage on Jan. 14, then less than two hours later that same day, police talked a man down from a parking garage on West Philadelphia Street in York.

In the first case, about 9:30 a.m., officers were able to stop the person before getting to the top of the building, York City Police said.

Then, about 11 a.m., someone called 911 to say there was a man sitting on the roof of a parking garage at the intersection of West Gas Avenue and North Grant Street, near the Susquehanna Commerce Center. A city officer was able to convince the man to come down, police said.

York Hospital spokesman Barry Sparks said Monday the hospital has assigned security officers to patrol the parking garage, especially its upper levels, "24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Sparks said Sunday's victim was neither an employee nor a patient there.

"WellSpan is deeply saddened by this tragic incident," Sparks said. "Based on this tragedy and a similar incident earlier this month, York Hospital leadership will review all options to prevent such circumstances in the future."

York County Coroner Barry Bloss said Monday he is not sure why there have been so many recent suicides and suicide attempts by jumping from buildings.

"You don't know what's going on - is it because they read about the first one? ... It's hard to say, to know what's going on in someone's head," he said. However, he admits that, "It's really strange that you have that many (suicides/attempts by jumping) in one month."

With January nearly over, there have been five suicides in York County, which, Bloss said, is about average.

"Probably 80 percent of suicides are by gun, but that doesn't make the news," he said. It's because of the "unusual, similar way" in which the suicides of late have occurred, he said.

He offered advice to family, friends and co-workers of those who might be contemplating suicide.

"If family members have even a hint, they should seek help for them, reach out," he said. "Take people seriously when they say things."

For example, things like, "I really have nothing to live for," or "I wouldn't care if my life ended tomorrow," are red flags, Bloss said.

People might say these things to get a reaction, but when no one responds, it's as if people don't care, so that might spur them on, he said.

"Talk them into professional help, or, at the very least, let them know you care," he said.

If you need help

For those contemplating suicide or for loved ones of someone contemplating suicide, Crisis Intervention at York Hospital can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 717-851-5320.

Also,

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Victim Assistance Center, 717-854-3131

The following are warning signs that a person could be thinking about committing suicide.